Kerri McKay began painting as a child, with the will to render what her mind saw. She earned a B.A. in studio art from SUNY Cortland in 1993 and a B.F.A. in painting and graphic design from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan in 1998. After studying with many teachers as an undergraduate student, Kerri trained for years under painter John F. Murray in a traditional realism style, an atelier of which the lineage traces back five generations to the French academies. Kerri has learned through this intense training to look to the Old Masters for guidance and inspiration, and to be disciplined and accurate, while demonstrating a sensitive application of materials in producing a beautiful picture.

This artist is someone who rises to the occasion in executing images for others to enjoy. Her career thus far includes the following: exhibiting in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, and Cortland, NY, and Oregon, IL; working as an artist-in-residence on farms in Ogle County, Illinois; feature story in The New York Times 10/10/04; feature cover story in The Dixon Telegraph 6/20/01; painting a 15' x 7.5' mural for a private home; creating commissioned paintings and drawings for the New York County Lawyers Association, Shout Magazine, Global Investment Magazine, Fiddlesticks Pub and McFadden's Pub, and many private collectors; selling two paintings to the Bank of America corporate collection; active member of the East End Arts Council in Riverhead, NY and publication in their 2006 calendar; philanthropic work such as volunteer teaching and donations of artwork to a variety of charities; guest appearance on Plum TV in the Hamptons; lecture in Montauk of a comparison of her Irish and Long Island landscapes; travel to thirteen countries, always equipped with art supplies; participation in invitational events painting en plein air before the public; and carrying on the life of an artist in New York City, from enjoying the benefits of the great museums in the area to carrying countless pounds of materials through the city's fine subway system from art store to studio to client.

Kerri's schedule includes painting both in her studio and outdoors en plein air, as well as participating in a small semi-weekly portrait group wherein the artists share ideas on technique and composition while working with live models. She aspires to paint a scene for a viewer to enjoy studying over and over again. She especially enjoys seeing the reaction of her viewers as the composition and details of her visual language pique their interest.